knitting and living in Tokyo, Japan

August 17, 2005

Kitijoji!

Things have settled down now, thank goodness! That wasn't my first earthquake but it certainly was the biggest that I have ever felt at work - very unnerving. Especially since each earthquake is different - some rock sideways, some go up and down. Yesterday's started off slow and small but got bigger and bigger and the building just kept shaking. They say it's safe up here but it certainly doesn't feel like it, and I always worry about fires. But moving onto happier topics.....

Working as a translator in Japan, my goal is to reproduce Japanese documents in natural English, so they are accurate and easy to read. However one of the phenomenons that constantly entertains but sometimes annoys us is Japlish/Engrish. So you see, I am torn. As a professional I cringe, but as a visitor in a strange land I laugh out loud. It's a dilemma. We recently made a trip to our local city hall to have some documents updated and while I was there I found these two gems:

This extract is from a yearly crime update in our city:

Dude - what is old-man hunting??

The next one is from the monthly English newsletter produced by the city. After reading the many gems in this, I decided to subscribe. I've never been one to turn down free entertainment.

Since reading this Darin has been keen to try out the cold towels around the groin trick.

Completely changing the topic - have you seen the new Fall VK ?? I just had a quick flip through at the bookstore because I won't shell out $20 for a magazine. Anyways, one of the feature articles is about knitting in Japan (hooray), AND there is a feature on the area where I live: Kichijoji. I was surprised that they didn't mention Avril, but they did cover most other fiber-related stores in the area except Kimuraya, but that's pretty tiny anyways (they do have great bargain bins though). I can't tell you how exciting it is to live so close to so many fantastic craft-related stores. I still have to go to a spinning lesson at Ananda, but it's definitely on my must-do list.

i DID see that in the fall VK! i'm sad that it's $20 in japan though :( it's less than $10 here, i believe. so it looks like the hubby and i are going to book our trip to japan soon! i want to come and shop at some of those stores in your hood!

Ooooh, I've beenw aiting for the Fall VK to come out in Canada, but then I forgot about it. I might pick it up while I am in NY. I'm going to Tokyo in September to check out the yarn stores. Actually, I was wondering how the stores there are, if they are like the ones in Canada or US, carrying many, many brands all at once, or if they sell their own brands only. I'm asking because I would like to consider exporting my yarn line to Japan.

I thought of you when i read that article! I could not believe that avril was not in it. i thought that was the best yarn store you brought me to in your 'hood'! My mom even went back and go me some yarn and i sent my brother while he was in tokyo. I can't wait till next summer to visit the other shops from the article. KICHIJOJI ROCKS!!

I don't know if you have family members who are willing to do this, but when I lived in Japan, I had all my magazine subscriptions sent to my parents' house and my Mom just shipped them to me when she had a package ready. If you are interested in a trade, here in the US we can get the issues at 40% off the cover price when JoAnn's or A.C. Moore coupon is in the weekend paper. If you are interested, feel free to email to me.